The McCluney Lab focuses on understanding aspects of global change in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. We integrate ecological, physiological, and isotopic approaches to understand the dynamics of populations, communities, and ecosystems, in streams, wetlands, riparian zones, and urban parks and gardens, across the US. Recent foci include urban bees and climate change, the role of wetland plants in nutrient cycling, the impact of emerging contaminants in wastewater on stream and riparian food webs, and the influence of agricultural management practices on phosphate dynamics and soil health. Our work investigates both basic and applied ecological questions, aiming to help achieve sustainable environmental management in a changing world.
Our key research areas include:
1. Ecological Implications of Animal Water Balance (Water Webs)
What drives trophic interactions and food web dynamics? Energy is often assumed to be the most important ecological currency underlying these relationships. However, we have shown that spiders and crickets will “drink” their food under dry conditions, consuming large amounts in order to meet water requirements rather than energy or nutrients. These water-related changes in trophic interactions can drive trophic cascades and influence intraguild predation. More generally, we are developing a framework for understanding the direct and indirect effects of animal water balance (sources and losses) on trophic interactions and food webs (which we have termed “water webs“). More recently we have been considering this topic simultaneously with interacting factors such as energy balance and demand for specific macronutrients.
2. Water Quantity and Quality
Freshwater is a rare and vital resource in great demand for agriculture, industry, and power generation. Human activities can deplete or pollute this resource, leading to habitat degradation. Our lab investigates causes and consequences of degradation and potential solutions. For instance, we have shown strong effects of river drying on streamside animals and complex effects of trace chemicals (e.g. caffeine) on stream biofilms and emergent insects. Our work documenting how emerging contaminants in wastewater influence stream and riparian food webs is ongoing. We are also making use of stable isotopes to trace sources of nutrients in watersheds and to estimate rates of biological turnover of phosphate in agricultural soils receiving various management practices (e.g. cover crops, amendment with dredged materials. Finally, we are exploring the role of plants and animals in nutrient cycling in wetlands, ditches, and streams. With this work, we are helping to understand and reduce nutrient fluxes from farms, to watersheds, to lakes.
3. Urbanization and Climate Change
How does rapid global change influence ecological communities and food webs? We focus on two related types of global change: urbanization and climate change. People are increasingly moving to cities and altering those environments. Cities in mesic regions become warmer and drier in ways that can mimic the projected effects of climate change. On the other hand, parts of cities in xeric regions can become wetter and sometimes cooler. We are studying how alteration of environmental factors in cities influences animal ecology in ways that may indicate potential effects of climate change. For instance, we have shown that urban arthropod water content varies within and between cities and seasonally, influenced by temperature and soil moisture and that this variation in water content alters communities. Recent work on urban bees has documented the relative susceptibility of different bee taxa to desiccation vs overheating associated with urban warming and factors influencing urban bee communities and flower visitation. In general, our research aims to inform management decisions in cities that could maximize ecosystem services and minimize disservices in the places where most people now live. This research focal area is strongly linked with our research on water webs (see #1 above).
We encourage applications from students from diverse backgrounds. Please see our lab’s diversity, equity, and inclusion policy.
MS and PhD student positions are available!
McCluney Lab
McCluney
Kevin McCluney
BGSU
Bowling Green State University
Ecology
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